The Hard Road

Ever wonder why God won't help us to grow by moving us from one "sunny day" to the next?

Sure would be nice!

I remember, early in my life as a follower of Jesus, actually praying something like "Lord, I get it--you want me to trust you. I understand...now can we move on?".

Augustine is rumored to have said "Lord, give me patience...and I'd like it now!"

Sometimes the Hard Road is necessary. Sometimes difficulty is necessary.

James says "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."(James 1:2-4).

"Troubles" and "Great Joy" don't naturally go together...but sometimes that's precisely the time that God 'shows up' the most!

Why does God choose to allow, or to use, the Hard Road in our growth process?

A few reasons, I think:

*Keeps us dependent on Him for strength.
*Reminds us that He--the Lord--NOT our circumstances, is where our hope lies.
*Teaches us that we can trust Him to 'redeem' our circumstances, no matter how tough, unfair, or challenging--for HIs glory and Our good.

So, today, if you face a trial--health, finances, relationship, anything--don't just try to 'get out of it'. Instead, trust God in it. Let Him sustain and supply you. Let Him move you out of it in His good time.

THEN you'll start to see that the "Hard Road" is actually "The Good Road".

Dj